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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
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“Puhaha~! Finally found it!”
I surfaced above Lake Kara, raising the spherical object in my hand high and letting out a triumphant laugh. It was the moment my days of effort paid off.
This sphere was none other than the ‘Jade Demonic Bit of Great Sin’ that Evelyn had left behind. Although it had user-protection magic preventing someone like me, not its owner, from using it, it was still a melon-sized lump of essence. Even selling it in pieces would fetch a fortune.
I reverently stored the ‘Jade Demonic Bit of Great Sin’ in my subspace pouch and swam toward the shore of Lake Kara.
‘Where did everyone go?’
Returning home, I found the office completely empty. I thought maybe everyone had stepped out briefly, but the frivolous noises coming from the second floor suggested otherwise.
I shouted toward the stairs.
“Noona! I’m back!”
Soon, Armida came clattering down, wearing a crimson silk dress. It was a dress with a train dragging on the floor and a wide skirt, while the top revealed her cleavage and shoulders prominently.
Armida spun around in place as if showing off.
“How do I look?”
“Pretty. But why the sudden dress?”
Armida noona, standing in front of the office’s full-length mirror, hummed as she spoke.
“Ah, the Kara Palace sent an invitation by messenger.”
“An invitation?”
“Yeah. Apparently, a delegation from the Roblos Kingdom is coming soon. So they’re inviting Kara’s high-ranking nobles and local dignitaries for discussions and a banquet to welcome the delegation.”
“Is that so?”
I scratched my head and picked up the invitation. I don’t know what Kara thinks it’s doing sending this. The Roblos Kingdom delegation coming this time is here to declare war. There’s absolutely no reason to welcome them with a banquet.
After examining the invitation, I looked at noona with a sidelong glance.
“Noona. Your name isn’t on this invitation.”
“It’s a plus-one invitation. You can bring one guest per person.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“You’re not actually planning to go, are you?”
“Of course I’m going!”
“We’re not even from Kara, why would we go there?”
“It’s fine. We got an invitation.”
I shook my head vigorously. I don’t know why she’s so excited and insists on going to such an event. She seems to be expecting a romantic ball, but the atmosphere there will be so tense you won’t even be able to eat properly.
“Invitation or not, what are we supposed to do at a war declaration?”
“A war declaration?”
“Yeah. The Roblos Kingdom has been preparing for war for years now. They have their eyes on the Great Desert here.”
“Really? But how do you know that, little brother?”
“I’ve built some connections lately. Found out through them.”
Armida noona made a fuss.
“Whoa, really? Then this isn’t the time for this.”
“Why now?”
“I need to inform the sky city quickly. Major events like war must be reported.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Can you watch the office for a bit? I’ll go make a call and come back.”
Armida made a fuss and went upstairs.
“Where are you going? To inform Chronos, you need to go to a magic communication center.”
“I can just use the Communication Orb. I have one in my room.”
It seemed like a fascinating device. Humans need a magic communication center with a large magic circle for long-distance communication, but Armida can do it with a Communication Orb she carries around. The public opinion that even the dirt from the sky city Chronos is good truly isn’t just empty praise.
“Really? Show it to me later. I want to see it.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
As Armida went back upstairs, I lay on the sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling. Eventually, the season of war had returned to Kara. I’d probably have to pack soon, so I should look into moving companies.
Creeeak~
Suddenly, the hinges creaked, and the office door slowly opened. Glancing toward the entrance, I saw a middle-aged man escorted by a group of warriors. He was very short and had an imposingly plump body. He seemed to have trouble even crossing the threshold, as his foot caught and he stumbled, falling.
The escorting warriors immediately rushed to help the obese middle-aged man up.
“Commander-General! Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. You all wait outside.”
“Yes.”
The obese middle-aged man, barely getting up, scrutinized me intently, then approached with a bright expression.
“Master! It’s an honor to meet you.”
Responding to the guest’s polite greeting, I sat up on the sofa.
“Yeah. So, who are you?”
The obese middle-aged man approached with labored steps.
“I am Razal Amuraba. The Commander-General of Kara.”
Commander-General meant the supreme military commander of Kara. Although nominally his authority is below the Lord’s, he still commands Kara’s entire military.
“Is that so? Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
As Razal sat upright on the sofa opposite me, his feet dangled in the air. He was short, and his legs were even shorter.
I swept my arm across the cluttered table, clearing the miscellaneous items, and began the business talk.
“Alright, then state your business. To estimate the fee, I need to know the details of the request.”
“Well…”
Razal fidgeted, hesitating to speak.
“Don’t worry. Our agency thoroughly protects client confidentiality. Well, there is one noona with sharp ears and a loose mouth, but fortunately, she’s upstairs right now and not here.”
“Hey!”
Armida’s sharp yell came from the second floor. Razal glanced toward the stairs.
“I think she’s listening…?”
“It’s your imagination. That noona has a condition where she suddenly yells for no reason.”
“HEY!”
Another yell erupted. This one was very loud. I spoke in a voice barely louder than a mosquito’s.
“It’s quite severe. Happens at random times.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Alright. So, tell me. What’s the matter?”
Razal began explaining his issue with an awkward face.
“Actually, a delegation from the Roblos Kingdom is scheduled to arrive in Kara soon.”
“I know. I heard.”
“But a rather troublesome issue has arisen.”
“What issue?”
“It seems Marquis Fabius will be accompanying this delegation.”
I slightly furrowed one eyebrow. This old man, called ‘One-Eyed Fabius,’ is a legendary figure who rose to the rank of top-tier Master Swordsman from a knightly background and is recognized as the foremost among the Three Great Swordsmen of the neutral factions, a true great hero.
Moreover, he has deep ties with me. The Marquis and I are comrades who fought side by side for a long time during the Age of Ruin. The only problem is the Marquis mostly ignored me.
“Wait. Why is that guy tagging along with the delegation coming to Kara?”
“That’s what I’m saying. Usually, a baron or viscount leads the delegation, but strangely, Marquis Fabius is coming this time. It’s incredibly awkward.”
Then the reason is obvious. It’s because of Old Man Zenbe.
If there’s one lifelong wish for Marquis Fabius, it’s to ascend to the rank of Mind Master. It’s a wish most top-tier Masters have, but the Marquis is particularly intense. He’s inherently highly competitive and holds a deep-seated inferiority complex over the fact that he, the foremost of the neutral factions, isn’t ranked among the Continent’s Three Great Swordsmen.
So, he constantly strives, but it hasn’t been easy. Unlike other factions, the Roblos Kingdom specializes in magic and magitek engineering, so there aren’t many comrades or rivals to spar with and discuss the way of the sword.
But coincidentally, rumors say that one of the orc great heroes, a Master of equal rank, Old Man Zenbe, is wandering around Kara as a ronin. If his body doesn’t itch for a fight, he’s not the One-Eyed Fabius.
“Anyway, these guys are causing trouble everywhere they go.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Continue what you were saying.”
Razal swallowed dryly and spoke in a very serious tone.
“Moreover, the size of this delegation is said to be over five thousand.”
“Five thousand? That’s quite a lot.”
“It’s not just ‘a lot.’ There’s clearly some scheme afoot.”
“What scheme?”
“It’s obvious. They’ll pretend to be a delegation, and once we open the city gates, they’ll try to capture Kara in one fell swoop.”
I chuckled. This guy reads too many novels.
Of course, if the Roblos Kingdom made a move, Kara would be captured instantly. But such worries are completely unfounded.
The Roblos Kingdom is the number two power on the Procia Continent and a wealthy nation. A country like that has its dignity; using a strategy that involves hiding an assault force within a delegation to capture Kara in one go doesn’t make sense.
“No. Most of them are continental merchants.”
“Continental merchants?”
“Yeah. It’s difficult for them to cross the treacherous trade routes because of the Great Desert bandits. But since a delegation is going anyway, they seize the opportunity, pay a few coins, and tag along.”
“That could be, but…”
“Why?”
“They say the escort force accompanying the delegation, excluding a single knight order, numbers over a thousand troops.”
That’s just insurance. Declaring war will create a tense atmosphere, and with such emotions, clashes might occur, so they’re just taking precautions.
“I’m telling you, it’s not. They’re just escort troops.”
“Even so…”
At Razal’s persistent anxiety, I let out a deep sigh. Well, my perspective and theirs can’t be the same. I’m just a spectator, but they are the involved parties.
“Tch. Well, I suppose it doesn’t hurt for you guys to be prepared. So?”
“We would like you, Master, to keep Marquis Fabius in check while the delegation is staying here.”
“By myself?”
Razal gave an awkward smile and rubbed his hands together.
“Well, if Sir Zenbe also steps in, we’d be delighted, but…”
His real target seemed to be Old Man Zenbe. Logically, the only person in Kara who can handle Marquis Fabius is Old Man Zenbe.
“Old Man Zenbe probably won’t do it.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a matter of racial pride. He’ll wait for the Marquis, but he won’t bow his head and seek him out under the pretext of a request. That old man is secretly quite proud.”
“I-Is that so?”
I looked directly at the troubled Razal.
“But if you’re asking me to find someone capable of dealing with the Marquis, I can provide one.”
Just then, Armida came clattering down from the second floor.
“Little brother! When are Roblos and Kara fighting? Quickly, quickly. It’s urgent.”
“Ah, probably around this winter. Brahmm will fight before this autumn arrives.”
“Whoa, they’re fighting Brahmm too?”
“Yeah. The entire Great Desert is the target.”
“Then they’ll mobilize a large army?”
“Yep. On paper, about 150,000.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
As Armida went back upstairs, Razal rolled his eyes and spoke.
“What was that lady talking about just now?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Don’t mind it. So, what will it be? Hire that person? Or not?”
“Well…”
Razal kept tilting his head. Master Swordsmen aren’t dog poop littering the streets; he seemed not to believe that one would just appear on command.
“No? Then I’ll go alone.”
Razal subtly checked my reaction.
“Is that person truly strong?”
“Incredibly strong.”
“Who exactly are they?”
He’s asking this after just seeing her. He means Armida noona. But since she’s so unreliable, there’s no need to mention her specifically right now.
“They exist. A master living in seclusion. You might not know, but among Masters, there are many who, like me or Old Man Zenbe, live cut off from the world.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. They’re more interested in the path of the sword than wealth and glory. But they can’t let spiderwebs grow on their mouths, so they take on jobs like this too.”
Seeming slightly convinced, Razal nodded his head.
“Hmm. I see…”
“So, yes or no?”
“Understood. We’ll do it.”
“Good. Then wait. I need to calculate the fee.”
First, the base fee was 160 Leaf gold, and the hazard pay was 500 Leaf. Adding the cost of food and daily allowance for the week the Roblos delegation would be staying came to 42 Leaf.
“Total would be about 1,302 Leaf gold.”
But the total amount was 600 Leaf more. It included payment for the labor performed recently at the Euroa Temple. Whether these guys didn’t see my face then or not, they only sent gratitude money to Old Man Zenbe and acted like nothing happened.
Razal, taking the bill I handed him, opened his eyes wide.
“Gasp. It’s this much?”
“Yeah. The hazard pay is high.”
“But didn’t you just say it wasn’t a big deal?”
“That’s true, but the opponent is Marquis Fabius, right?”
“Huh? What’s wrong with him?”
“That old man is a mad dog. And his inferiority complex is so severe he draws his sword at the slightest provocation. That old man is a knight-turned-Master; he was heavily ostracized in the Roblos noble society back in the day. Of course, he won’t bite if you don’t provoke him, but you must be cautious in all matters.”
“But this is the first I’m hearing such rumors…”
I leaned back comfortably against the sofa backrest.
“It was a long time ago. Nobody dares to provoke that old man now. What fool in the Roblos Kingdom would mess with the number one sword of the neutral factions? Now they have to tread carefully and crawl.”
“Ah, I suppose so.”
“Still, you must be careful. If the Marquis truly loses his temper, the Kara Palace will become a bloodbath that very day. You’ll probably see many fierce ghosts from now on.”
Razal took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead.
Just then, Armida noona came rushing down again and urgently asked a question.
“Little brother? Do you happen to know the leaders?”
“The commanders?”
“Yeah.”
“For the Roblos Kingdom, it’s Duke Bastaine. For Kara, it’s this obese middle-aged man in front of me.”
Armida subtly turned her gaze toward Razal.
“You’re plump and look quite cute. What’s your name?”
“R-Razal. Razal Amuraba.”
“Razal, is it? Got it. Thanks.”
As Armida vanished back upstairs again, Razal blinked and looked at me questioningly.
“Um, Master? Why has that lady been acting like that since earlier?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t pay attention to her nonsense.”
“But I can’t help feeling curious.”
“I told you before. That noona is a bit ill.”
“What exactly is her illness?”
“Old maid disease, aged ten thousand years. There’s no cure for that.”
“HEY!”
Armida’s yell erupted from the second floor. This one was quite loud. I hurriedly shoved the bill into Razal’s hand and pushed him toward the door. The consultation was over anyway. It seemed better to kick him out quickly before Armida noona came down with another troublesome question.
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